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The Order of Pterosauria

Short answer: Pterosaurs (order Pterosauria) were flying reptiles, close relatives of dinosaurs but not dinosaurs themselves. They were the first vertebrates known to have evolved powered flight, on wings of skin stretched along a hugely long fourth finger.

Pteranodon lived in North America about 86 to 84.5 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous. Adult males had wingspans of about 5.6 to 6 m or more, with some estimates near 7 m, and a long, backward-pointing crest. It flew over the sea and ate fish. The footage shows pterosaur reconstructions, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about The Order of Pterosauria?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles.

    DD-203-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Flying reptiles)

  2. They were close relatives, not dinosaurs.

    DD-203-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Not dinosaurs)

Video transcript: The Order of Pterosauria: Pterosaurs Flew, but They Weren't Dinosaurs

Pterodactyls, often incorrectly referred to as dinosaurs, were actually flying reptiles from the order Pterosauria. DID YOU KNOW? One of the most iconic members of this group was Pteranodon, which lived during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 88 to 75 million years ago. Pteranodon had a remarkable wingspan, with some individuals reaching up to 23 feet, or 7 meters. These ancient fliers had a distinctive crest at the back of their heads, and they were well adapted for a life of blighting and soaring over the seas. Despite their impressive size, Pteranodons were not dinosaurs, they belonged to a separate branch of the reptile family tree. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 33.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonThe Order of Pterosauria · Instagram Reel
The Order of Pterosauria: Pterosaurs Flew, but They Weren't Dinosaurs Instagram Reel · · 33.5s

The write-up

Pterosaurs flew, but they weren't dinosaurs. Pteranodon's wingspan reached about 6 to 7 m.

  1. Exhibit A

    Flying reptiles

    Pterosaurs were flying reptiles.

  2. Exhibit B

    Not dinosaurs

    They were close relatives, not dinosaurs.

  3. Exhibit C

    Finger wing

    Their wings were stretched along one finger.

  4. Exhibit D

    Pteranodon

    Pteranodon lived 86 to 84.5 million years ago.

  5. Exhibit E

    Wingspan

    Large males spanned about 6 m or more.

Questions people ask about The Order of Pterosauria

Were pterosaurs dinosaurs?

A separate branch.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flying reptiles) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

What supported their wings?

A skin membrane.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Not dinosaurs) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

When did Pteranodon live?

Late Cretaceous.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Finger wing) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

How wide were big males?

Some estimates near 7 m.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pteranodon) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon

What did Pteranodon eat?

Over the sea.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Wingspan) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Were pterosaurs dinosaurs?

    1. No, close relatives
    2. Yes
    3. They were birds
    4. They were bats
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No, close relatives A separate branch. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Flying reptiles) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

  2. What supported their wings?

    1. A long fourth finger
    2. Feathers
    3. Ribs
    4. Their tail
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A long fourth finger A skin membrane. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Not dinosaurs) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

  3. When did Pteranodon live?

    1. About 86 to 84.5 million years ago
    2. About 10 million years ago
    3. About 300 million years ago
    4. About 1,000 years ago
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 86 to 84.5 million years ago Late Cretaceous. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Finger wing) · Wikipedia: Pterosaur

  4. How wide were big males?

    1. About 6 m or more
    2. About 50 cm
    3. About 30 m
    4. About 1 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 6 m or more Some estimates near 7 m. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Pteranodon) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon

  5. What did Pteranodon eat?

    1. Fish
    2. Grass
    3. Fruit
    4. Insects only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Fish Over the sea. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Wingspan) · Wikipedia: Pteranodon

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Order of Pterosauria." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-203, last updated Jan 29, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-order-of-pterosauria/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-order-of-pterosauria/ · Last updated

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